Road bike advice

Roady said:
Depends on your commute, but once you get conditioned you should consider it! I've saved ~£10 a week in fuel on my inner-city commute and now I'm more conditioned it's actually quicker than taking the car! Thankfully I don't body sweat much (it all comes out my forehead) so nothing deodorant wouldn't sort in the hot sunny weather! ;)

I looked at local cycling clubs, there's loads around me but they all seem to be 'semi-pro' and I'd never keep up! You're lucky with your Mrs, mine cycles her commute but has no interest in doing any other cycling - can't blame her, as I'd lose patience waiting for her! ;)



I found Wiggle and have bought most of my stuff from there, I go by recommendations (from people on here) and reading reviews on Wiggle to really make my decisions... If you want an invite to wiggle (you'll get some free sunglasses on your first order over £50 & I'll get a 10% voucher for the amount you spend!) then inbox me your address (see my Trust), can't believe nobody has got in there first! ;)

I purchased dhb shorts and jerseys (due to the low sale prices) and have been so impressed by the quality I purchased loads more and have become a dhb fan! My helmet is a cheapy £20 Halfrauds one, but I would defo advise trying them on somewhere... I have a slightly large head so find many uncomfortable (even this one isn't ideal, I'll try many more before buying my next). Padded shorts were a must for me and now I can't imagine not wearing my 'nappy' lol ;)

I went normal pedals when I bought my road bike (coming from a hybrid), but within a few weeks I changed to cleats (M530's with XC30's) for the first time! I'm still getting used to them but can see the benefit/efficiency coming through using them, means I'm enjoying my commute even more! I would advise SPD's from the get go. I went MTB shoes as prefer the looks and I'll be walking to and from my bike, I figured they'd have more weather/water protection than road shoes.

I've been lucky and only had 1 puncture in 1,000 miles. I carry a puncture repair kit (cheapy one from Aldi that has tyre levers in it) but no pump (but will be buying one shortly... Will probably go the innertube & saddle bag route).



I found my road bike to be very twitchy after only riding my hybrid, you'll get used to it as it's just the thinner tyres/road tyres moving much more freely on the road surface compared to the thick nobbly MTB tyres! ;)

Strava is the way forwards! Join the OCUK group! Once I started using it I got a lot more interested in my cycling & 'bettering' myself... Then again all I've really been cycling is the SAME route (work commute) so I've not really needed GPS etc... Cadence is something that I've been looking at more and more recently though... ;)
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Fuel isn't a problem as I get paid my commute mileage.

Wiggle seems ok atm but there is so much out of stock, probably due to end of season. Already spent a shed load on there and not planning to get much else for now. Guess everyone missed a discount on that.

I went to Halfords too to try a helmet on, then ordered one from Chainreaction along with gloves.

Oh and I've joined the OCUK strava club. Jon B is me. If you want to find me, start looking from the bottom, you'll be really quick. ;)

Jb
 
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